Items with a star (*) and gray background have been modified from previous record.

Question Number 3:

04/17/2006 - Current

Question

What are the functions that citizen review panels must perform?

Answer

*Pursuant to sections 106(c)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), each panel must evaluate the extent to which the State is fulfilling its child protection responsibilities in accordance with its CAPTA State plan by: (1) examining the policies, procedures and practices of State and local child protection agencies, and (2) reviewing specific cases, where appropriate. In addition, consistent with section 106(c)(4)(A)(iii) of CAPTA, a panel may examine other criteria that it considers important to ensure the protection of children, including the extent to which the State and local CPS system is coordinated with the title IV-E foster care and adoption assistance programs of the Social Security Act. This provision also authorizes the panels to review the child fatalities and near fatalities in the State.

In order to assess the impact of current procedures and practices upon children and families in the community and fulfill the above requirements, citizen review panels must provide for public outreach and comment (section 106(c)(4)(C) of CAPTA). Finally, each panel must prepare an annual report that summarizes the activities of the panel and makes recommendations to improve the CPS system at the State and local levels, and submit it to the State and the public (section 106(c)(6) of CAPTA).

Pursuant to sections 106 (c)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of CAPTA, each panel must evaluate the extent to which the State is fulfilling its child protection responsibilities in accordance with its CAPTA State plan by: (1) examining the policies and procedures of State and local agencies, and (2) reviewing specific cases, where appropriate. In addition, consistent with section 106 (c)(4)(A)(iii) of CAPTA, a panel may review other criteria that it considers important to ensure the protection of children, including the extent to which the State CPS system is coordinated with the title IV-E foster care and adoption assistance programs of the Social Security Act, and the child fatalities and near fatalities in the State.